Bald-headed
Ch. 19

Birundasih checked his scratch results when he finished, pleased with his efforts. He wondered what to try next and finally decided. Since he did not have a model, he visualized it in his head before starting. And although it was more difficult than the street scene, it appeared naturally and began to take shape.

Minutes pass quickly. He worked skillfully but often checked the time so he wouldn't be late, and he finished it before noon.

It took him almost two hours, but the end result surprised him. It seems to take longer. After rolling it up, he put it in a bag and collected the other items.

On his way out the door, he looked at himself in the mirror, strangely feeling relaxed, unsure why.

Get down the stairs again and get out the door. As he left, he heard a voice behind him.

"Someone misses you, Mom?"

He turned around, knowing it was aimed at him. Managers. The same man as yesterday, a curious expression on Birundasih's face.

"Yes?"

"You got a couple calls last night."

She's surprised. "Yes?"

"Yes. All from Mr. Attoyar."

Oh God.

"Ali called?"

"Yes, Mom, four times. I talked to him when he called for the second time. He's a little worried about you. He said he's your fiance."

He smiled weakly, trying to hide what he was thinking. Four times? A four? What does that mean? What if something happened at home?

"Did he say something? Is this an emergency?"

He shook his head quickly. "He really didn't say it, Mom. Actually, he sounds more worried about you."

Good, thought. Goody. And then, suddenly, pain in his chest.

Why so many calls? Did this manager say anything yesterday? Why is he so persistent? It's not like him at all.

Does Ali have a way of knowing?

No. . . It is impossible. Unless someone saw him here yesterday and called. . . . But they must follow him to Sugi's house.

No one's gonna do that.

He should call her now, there's no way to work around it. But he didn't want to, strangely.

This was his time, and he wanted to spend it, doing what he wanted. Birundasih did not plan to talk to Ali until later, and for some reason she felt as if talking to him now would ruin the day.

Besides, what would he say?

How could he explain coming out so late?

Late dinner and a walk? Might as well. Or movies? Or . . .

"Thank you?"

Almost noon, he thought. Where is he? Office, maybe.... No. gabe. In court, he suddenly realized, and immediately felt as if he had been freed from the shackles.

There was no way he could talk to her, even if he wanted to. He was surprised by his feelings. He shouldn't feel this way, he knows, but it doesn't bother him.

He looked at his watch, acting now.

"Is this really nearly one o'clock in the afternoon?"

The manager nodded after looking at the clock. "Yes, another quarter of an hour, actually."

"Unfortunately," he began, "he's in court now and I can't reach him. If she calls again, can you tell her that I'm shopping and I'll try to call her later?"

"Of course" he answered.

However, Birundasih could see the question in his eyes. But where were you last night? The manager knows exactly when he's coming in. It's too late for a single woman in this town, she's sure.

"Thank you" he said with a smile. "I really appreciate your help."

Two minutes later he was in his car, driving to Sugi's house, anticipating the day, he already didn't care about the many phone calls.

As he was driving down the highway about four minutes after he left the inn, Ali called the inn from the courthouse.

Sugi was sitting on his rocking chair, drinking sweet tea. He listened to the sound of the car, when he finally heard the car approaching. He turned to the front porch and saw the car stop and parked under the oak tree again. Same place as yesterday.

Cemong meowed his greetings at the door of the car. rubbed his body into the body of the vehicle, and Sugi saw Birundasih waving from the car.

Birundasih stepped out, patted Cemong on the head while persuading him, then turned around, smiling at Sugi as he walked towards him.

He looked more relaxed than yesterday, more confident, and once again he felt a little shocked upon seeing her. But it was different from yesterday.

New feelings now, not just memories anymore. If anything, his attraction to the woman got stronger overnight, more intense, and it made him feel a little nervous before her.

Birundasih met him in the middle of the street, carrying a small bag in one hand. He surprised her by kissing her cheek gently, his free hand lingering on her waist after she pulled away.

"Hi" she said, her eyes twinkling, "where's the surprise?"

He relaxed a little, thanking God for that.

"Even not 'Good day' or 'How is your night?'"

She smiles. Patience has never been one of his strongest attributes.

"good. Good afternoon. Howwasyournight? And where's the surprise?"

He chuckled softly, then stopped. "Birundasih, I have bad news."

"What?"

"I'll take you somewhere, but with the clouds coming, I'm not sure we should go."

"Why?"

"Huge rains. We'll be outside and maybe wet. Anyway, there might be lightning."

"It's not raining yet. How far?"

"Tracing the river for about a mile."

"And I've never been there before?"

"Not a time like this."

He thought for a moment while looking around. When he spoke, the decision was made.

"Then we'll go. I don't care if it rains."

"Are you sure?"

"Very."

He looked at the clouds again, paying attention to their movements and distances.

"Then we better go now" he said. "Can I bring it for you?"

He nodded, handed his bag to Sugi, and he ran to the house and brought it inside, where he placed it on a chair in the living room. Then he took the bread and put it in a bag, carrying it as he left the house.

They walked to the canoe, Birundasih beside him. A little closer than yesterday.

"What place are we going this time?"

"You'll see it."

"You won't even give me a clue?"

"Well," he said, "do you remember when we took out the canoe and saw the sunrise?"

"I thought about it this morning. I remember it made me cry."

"What you will see today makes what you see then seem ordinary."

"I think I should feel special."

He took a few steps before answering.

"You're special," he finally said, and the way he said it made Birundasih wonder if he wanted to add something else.

But he did not, and Birundasih smiled slightly before throwing her face away. When he did, he felt a cold wind gush down his face.